Spring Time in Ryedale

Visit some of Ryedale, North Yorkshire's finest gardens and landscape and feel your soul lift with pleasure.Castle HowardCastle Howard is a magnificent 18th century house situated in breathtaking parkland, dotted with temples, lakes statues and fountains. There are also formal gardens, a woodland garden and an ornamental vegetable garden. Seasonal displays include daffodils, rhododendrons, magnolias, azaleas, roses and delphiniums.www.castlehoward.co.uk(Coastliner runs the ‘Castle Howard Shuttle' bus from Malton during the summer months & Stephensons of Easingwold runs a shuttle service from Malton to Castle Howard)

Dalby ForestDalby Forest is both a working woodland and great place for recreation and wildlife. There are a number of waymarked walks through beautiful landscapes varying in length and ability and horse riding and cycling trails. Information can be obtained from the new eco-friendly Dalby Forest Visitor Centre.www.forestry.gov.uk/dalbyforest

Duncombe-ParkThis early 18th century 35 acre garden has been described as "the supreme masterpiece of the art of the landscape gardener". Explore at leisure the great lawn and level terraces, temples, yew tree walk, woodland walks and the scented ‘secret garden' around the old conservatory. The colourful parterres to the north and south of the house were added in the middle of the 19th century and along with the conservatory are the only additions to have been made since the 18th century.www.duncombepark.com

Helmsley Walled GardenBeautiful eighteenth century Helmsley Walled Garden was originally built to supply the Duncombe estate with fruit, vegetables and cut flowers and it is gradually being restored to its former glory. The walls have been refurnished with fruit trees and the garden's centre piece, the Orchid House, has been restored. Under the magical ruins and ramparts of Helmsley Castle, this is a romantic oasis to sit and picnic or just watch the world go by.www.helmsleywalledgarden.org.uk

Jacksons' Wold GardenA three acre garden on the edge of the Yorkshire Wolds with stunning views across the Vale of Pickering, Jacksons' Wold Garden is a favourite of Alan Titchmarsh. Richard and Sarah Cundall have converted a former paddock on their farm high on the Wolds, one mile from Sherburn, into three acres of formal gardens, a wildflower meadow and woodland.www.jacksonswoldgarden.com

Scampston Walled GardenRelax in this award winning 4½ acre contemporary garden with its striking perennial meadow planting, traditional spring/autumn borders and spectacular autumn grasses. Created by internationally acclaimed designer, Piet Oudolf and described in The Good Gardens Guide ‘an historic garden of the future'. The gardens, 19th century rock garden and woodland walk, set within magnificent ‘Capability' Brown parkland surrounding Scampston Hall are also available for you to explore.www.scampston.co.uk (Yorkshire Coastliner bus services 843, 845 and X45 pass within 1km of the gate www.yorkshirecoastliner.co.uk)

Farndale DaffodilsFarndale is internationally famed for its show of wild daffodils which normally bloom around Easter. It is believed the daffodils were first brought to Farndale by medieval monks from Rievaulx. The Daffodil walk runs along side the River Dove, for about 1½ miles between Low mill, where the North York Moors National Park has an information caravan during the flowering season, and High Mill a few hundred yards short of Church Houses.

Bridestones MoorThe Bridestones are curiously shaped ancient sandstone stacks rising above heather moorland situated in the peaceful and beautiful Bridestones Moor nature reserve and SSSI. The Bridestones Nature Trail is approximately 1ml long and leads visitors through a range of habitats such as typical moorland with three species of heather, ancient woodland estimated to date from the end of the last Ice Age, and herb-rich meadows.www.nationaltrust.org.uk

Wolds Way LavenderWolds Way Lavender is a Lavender and Herb farm situated just off the Yorkshire Wolds Way.Here, people can walk around and enjoy the vast variety of plants that grow on the site. There are over 100 different types of lavender on display. Added to this is a gift shop and welcome tea rooms, with lavender scones of course being a speciality.www.woldswaylavender.co.uk(there is a Yorkshire Coastliner stop a half mile away from Wolds Way Lavender)

Itinerary 1: Visiting both the Walled Gardens of Helmsley and Scampston would provide a wonderful break that contrasts the traditional with the contemporary. Approximately 45 minutes drive from each other, they can also be reached by public transport from Malton. For a longer break, why not spend a day at Helmsley and include a visit to the larger and inspiring parkland and gardens of Duncombe Park staying overnight in Helmsley or Malton before exploring not only the walled garden at Scampston but strolling peacefully in the traditional gardens around the house and in the park, designed by Capability Brown, with its magnificent views.

Itinerary 2: Get things into perspective and feel inspired by combining woodland walks at Dalby Forest with spectacular views across the moors at Bridestones Moor and maybe finishing the day with a spot of stargazing courtesy of one of Scarborough and Ryedale Astronomical Society public viewing nights at the astronomical observatories outside Dalby Forest Visitor Centre. They run (throughout the year on the first Friday of every month from 8pm, excluding June, July and August).

Itinerary 3: For a restful ‘escape from it all' combining gentle walking with superb views, why not stay in the picturesque village of Hutton le Hole where you can drive to Church Houses in Farndale to walk along the River Dove and see the daffodils possibly stopping for a light snack at the Daffy Caffy or some fine home cooked food at the Feversham Arms at Farndale. You could make the short journey two miles to The Lion Inn on remote Blakey Ridge located at the highest point of the North York Moors National Park offering breathtaking views over the valleys of Rosedale and Farndale. Accommodation and a good selection of ales and meals available is available at Sevenford House.

Spring Time in Ryedale

Visit some of Ryedale, North Yorkshire's finest gardens and landscape and feel your soul lift with pleasure.Castle HowardCastle Howard is a magnificent 18th century house situated in breathtaking parkland, dotted with temples, lakes statues and fountains. There are also formal gardens, a woodland garden and an ornamental vegetable garden. Seasonal displays include daffodils, rhododendrons, magnolias, azaleas, roses and delphiniums.www.castlehoward.co.uk(Coastliner runs the ‘Castle Howard Shuttle' bus from Malton during the summer months & Stephensons of Easingwold runs a shuttle service from Malton to Castle Howard)

Dalby ForestDalby Forest is both a working woodland and great place for recreation and wildlife. There are a number of waymarked walks through beautiful landscapes varying in length and ability and horse riding and cycling trails. Information can be obtained from the new eco-friendly Dalby Forest Visitor Centre.www.forestry.gov.uk/dalbyforest

Duncombe-ParkThis early 18th century 35 acre garden has been described as "the supreme masterpiece of the art of the landscape gardener". Explore at leisure the great lawn and level terraces, temples, yew tree walk, woodland walks and the scented ‘secret garden' around the old conservatory. The colourful parterres to the north and south of the house were added in the middle of the 19th century and along with the conservatory are the only additions to have been made since the 18th century.www.duncombepark.com

Helmsley Walled GardenBeautiful eighteenth century Helmsley Walled Garden was originally built to supply the Duncombe estate with fruit, vegetables and cut flowers and it is gradually being restored to its former glory. The walls have been refurnished with fruit trees and the garden's centre piece, the Orchid House, has been restored. Under the magical ruins and ramparts of Helmsley Castle, this is a romantic oasis to sit and picnic or just watch the world go by.www.helmsleywalledgarden.org.uk

Jacksons' Wold GardenA three acre garden on the edge of the Yorkshire Wolds with stunning views across the Vale of Pickering, Jacksons' Wold Garden is a favourite of Alan Titchmarsh. Richard and Sarah Cundall have converted a former paddock on their farm high on the Wolds, one mile from Sherburn, into three acres of formal gardens, a wildflower meadow and woodland.www.jacksonswoldgarden.com

Scampston Walled GardenRelax in this award winning 4½ acre contemporary garden with its striking perennial meadow planting, traditional spring/autumn borders and spectacular autumn grasses. Created by internationally acclaimed designer, Piet Oudolf and described in The Good Gardens Guide ‘an historic garden of the future'. The gardens, 19th century rock garden and woodland walk, set within magnificent ‘Capability' Brown parkland surrounding Scampston Hall are also available for you to explore.www.scampston.co.uk (Yorkshire Coastliner bus services 843, 845 and X45 pass within 1km of the gate www.yorkshirecoastliner.co.uk)

Farndale DaffodilsFarndale is internationally famed for its show of wild daffodils which normally bloom around Easter. It is believed the daffodils were first brought to Farndale by medieval monks from Rievaulx. The Daffodil walk runs along side the River Dove, for about 1½ miles between Low mill, where the North York Moors National Park has an information caravan during the flowering season, and High Mill a few hundred yards short of Church Houses.

Bridestones MoorThe Bridestones are curiously shaped ancient sandstone stacks rising above heather moorland situated in the peaceful and beautiful Bridestones Moor nature reserve and SSSI. The Bridestones Nature Trail is approximately 1ml long and leads visitors through a range of habitats such as typical moorland with three species of heather, ancient woodland estimated to date from the end of the last Ice Age, and herb-rich meadows.www.nationaltrust.org.uk

Wolds Way LavenderWolds Way Lavender is a Lavender and Herb farm situated just off the Yorkshire Wolds Way.Here, people can walk around and enjoy the vast variety of plants that grow on the site. There are over 100 different types of lavender on display. Added to this is a gift shop and welcome tea rooms, with lavender scones of course being a speciality.www.woldswaylavender.co.uk(there is a Yorkshire Coastliner stop a half mile away from Wolds Way Lavender)

Itinerary 1: Visiting both the Walled Gardens of Helmsley and Scampston would provide a wonderful break that contrasts the traditional with the contemporary. Approximately 45 minutes drive from each other, they can also be reached by public transport from Malton. For a longer break, why not spend a day at Helmsley and include a visit to the larger and inspiring parkland and gardens of Duncombe Park staying overnight in Helmsley or Malton before exploring not only the walled garden at Scampston but strolling peacefully in the traditional gardens around the house and in the park, designed by Capability Brown, with its magnificent views.

Itinerary 2: Get things into perspective and feel inspired by combining woodland walks at Dalby Forest with spectacular views across the moors at Bridestones Moor and maybe finishing the day with a spot of stargazing courtesy of one of Scarborough and Ryedale Astronomical Society public viewing nights at the astronomical observatories outside Dalby Forest Visitor Centre. They run (throughout the year on the first Friday of every month from 8pm, excluding June, July and August).

Itinerary 3: For a restful ‘escape from it all' combining gentle walking with superb views, why not stay in the picturesque village of Hutton le Hole where you can drive to Church Houses in Farndale to walk along the River Dove and see the daffodils possibly stopping for a light snack at the Daffy Caffy or some fine home cooked food at the Feversham Arms at Farndale. You could make the short journey two miles to The Lion Inn on remote Blakey Ridge located at the highest point of the North York Moors National Park offering breathtaking views over the valleys of Rosedale and Farndale. Accommodation and a good selection of ales and meals available is available at Sevenford House.